Susan Calman: political drama beckons
The comedian and presenter is in the running to play the former First Minister, writes JULENA DRUMI
After leaving the legal profession to become a comedian Susan Calman has branched out as one of television’s most recognisable travel presenters. Now she is building on her acting abilities and is close to landing what could become a career-defining role in a drama about Nicola Sturgeon and her estranged husband Peter Murrell.
The diminutive Glaswegian has auditioned for the leading role in To Nicola, Love Peter, a 90-minute factual drama commissioned by Channel 5.
According to The Scottish Sun, Calman has impressed the programme’s producers, who are believed to be looking for a Scottish performer to portray the former SNP leader and First Minister. No casting has officially been confirmed, with Channel 5 saying an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
Calman, 51, studied law at the University of Glasgow before working as a corporate lawyer. Sturgeon, 56, also studied law at the same university and worked as a solicitor before entering politics.
The comedian has become a familar face on television programmes such as QI, Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You? She competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has developed a close association with Channel 5 through travel programmes including Secret Scotland, Grand Day Out and Cruising with Susan Calman.
She is no stranger to treading the boards, having previous acting experience in Rab C Nesbitt, Fresh Meat and the BBC prison comedy Dead Boss.
To Nicola, Love Peter will examine how Murrell embezzled £400,000 from the SNP over a 12-year period and the effect the scandal had on his marriage, the party and Sturgeon’s political legacy. Murrell, the SNP’s former chief executive, was sentenced to more than five years in prison after admitting his guilt.
Producers say the drama will draw upon evidence gathered by Police Scotland and the Crown Office, television and newspaper interviews with Sturgeon and conversations with other people connected to the case.
It is being produced by Wonderhood Studios, which previously made Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards for Channel 5.
Scottish screenwriter Lucy Brydon is writing the film, while Misha Manson-Smith, whose credits include No Offence, will direct.
Ben Frow, chief content officer at Channel 5, described the story as “an epic tale of Shakespearean proportions”, combining political drama with an extraordinary domestic story.
The programme’s working title refers to the relationship between Sturgeon and Murrell, who married in 2010 after meeting through the SNP. Sturgeon announced in January 2025 that the couple had decided to end their marriage after being separated for some time.
A broadcast date has not yet been announced.
This is an edited version of an article which appeared in ScottishNews.com
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